Sign up to receive free email alerts when patent applications with chosen keywords are publishedSIGN UP

Abstract:

Items--including gourmet products--are evaluated and rated by
participants in a controlled event, which can be coordinated by software
locally or at a dedicated website. Event data, including item scores and
participant scores can be shared with vendors, merchants and other
commercial entities associated with the products. Promotional incentives
from such entities for the products (and related products) can then be
directly targeted and provided to participants and other members of the
public. The participant's activities can also be collected and
disseminated to affiliates/friends of the participants through social
networking sites, personalized web pages, etc.

Claims:

1.-10. (canceled)

11. A method of marketing and promoting items comprising the steps: a)
providing an item marketing computing system which is coupled through a
network connection to a first item manufacturer computing system, a
second item distributor computing system, and a third item data
collection computing system; said item marketing computing system
including one or more software routines to perform the following
operations: 1) coordinating communication of first item event data to the
third item data collection computing system from a group of participants
sampling a first item; 2) calculating scores for said first item and/or
for said group of participants; 3) communicating said scores and/or said
first item event data to at least said first manufacture computing
system; 4) process feedback data based on said scores and/or said first
item event data from said first manufacture computing system and/or said
second item distributor computing system which is specific to at least
one or more said group of participants; 5) communicating promotional
information to said third item data collection computing system relevant
to said first item, and/or items determined to be related to said first
item to said at least one or more of said group of participants; wherein
promotional information is presented dynamically from a manufacturer
and/or distributor of said first item to a participant during said item
sampling event and which promotional information is responsive and
related to scores provided by said participant and/or other participants
in said sampling event.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said item sampling event is
associated with tasting a food or beverage.

13. An item data sampling collection computing device comprising: a. an
electronic interface for capturing item sampling data from a participant
for a set of items in an item sampling event; b. an item sampling
processing routine that is adapted to: i. communicate at least some of
said item sampling data with a remote computing system; ii. present
feedback data from said remote computing system, including advertising
and/or promotional coupons for items, which feedback data is derived at
least in part from a recommender system and is customized for one or more
participants in said item sampling event; and iii. calculate scores and
awards for said one or more participants based on evaluating and
correlating their respective ratings provided on said set of items
sampled during the item sampling event.

14. A data collection system for collecting data from participants in an
item sampling event comprising: a. a portable master controller computing
device; b. one or more portable slave computing devices; wherein each of
said master controller computing device and said one or more slave
computing devices having an electronic interface for capturing item
sampling data from a participant for a set of items in an item sampling
event; further wherein said portable master controller computing device
is coupled to and controls data collection and data presentation for the
item sampling event from the portable slave computing devices; c. the
portable master controller computing device being further adapted with
one or more software routines to: i. calculate scores and awards for said
participants based on evaluating and correlating their respective ratings
provided on a set of items sampled during the item sampling event, and
ii. present feedback data from a remote computing system, including
advertising and/or promotional coupons for items, which feedback data is
derived at least in part from a recommender system and is customized for
one or more participants in said item sampling event.

[0002] The present invention relates to gourmet food/drink entertainment
events and e-commerce and recommendation support systems used and/or
associated therewith.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Wine tastings are popular events that are enjoyed both on a
commercial and non-commercial basis. At the one extreme, various
organizations are known to put on large scale events to rate vintages
offered by different wine labels, and sometimes these events are open to
the public for their enjoyment as well. These festivals are extremely
popular and attract large crowds interested in wines. Individual wineries
also offer tastings of their products on a small scale for the benefit of
visitors. These functions allow wineries to collect data directly from
consumers on the likeability of different types of wine.

[0004] Finally, at the public level, so-called private "wine tasting
parties" represent yet another form of entertainment and enjoyment that
is popular at this time. At such functions, individuals are invited to
taste, discuss and rate wines as part of the social activities. Such
parties are becoming more commonplace, but the wineries and other vendors
associated with such products have not been able to tap into the
information exchanged at such events.

[0005] There are some Internet/e-commerce entities also dedicated to wine
and related products. For example a website identified as www.winelog.net
is dedicated to wine lovers and includes a tool for members to enter
their wine ratings and receive recommendations. Winelog describes itself
as an "online community of wine drinkers." The limitation of this site is
that it caters only to persons who have taken the time to find the site
and have registered specifically as members. This tends to restrict the
community to hard core oenophiles. Moreover it does not appear to
coordinate and tie together the collected ratings data for wine growers,
consumers and merchants of such products. Consequently the user
population and popularity of such system does not appear to be
significant.

[0006] Thus techniques for collecting data for food/drink preferences have
been rather limited. It would be preferable if there were some manner of
increasing the participation rate in the general public to enhance
knowledge of consumer preferences.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of the present invention, therefore, is to overcome
and/or reduce the aforementioned limitations of the prior art.

[0008] A first aspect of the invention concerns a method of conducting a
sampling event for items comprising: (a) providing one or more electronic
data collection devices; (b) collecting at least a set of ratings for the
set of items from a group of participants using a first routine executing
on the one or more electronic data collection devices during the item
sampling event; (c) calculating item sampling event data including at
least item scores and participant scores using a second computing
routine; (d) providing at least some of the item sampling event data
through a network to one or more electronic computing systems associated
with third parties involved in the making, distributing and/or selling of
the items; and (e) receiving promotional coupons and/or other electronic
feedback from such third parties at the one or more electronic data
collection devices or other electronic message accounts associated with
the group of participants. The promotional coupons and/or other
electronic feedback are preferably coupled and dynamically adjustable
based on a geographical location of the one or more data collection
devices and/or a residence address of the group of participants.

[0009] In preferred embodiments the one or more electronic data collection
devices include a single phone based computing device which is adapted to
present a data capture interface which varies for multiple users.
Additional steps such as (b)': receiving prediction data from the
participants concerning the expected ratings to be provided by other
participants for one or more of the items; and/or receiving prediction
data from the participants concerning the actual ratings provided by
experts for one or more of the items can also be implemented.

[0010] The method further preferably includes a step: determining one or
more participant winners based on an overall group participant rating
provided to items submitted by such participants. Additional steps of
computing a rating and participant correlation score can be done to
determine at least one or more of the following: [0011] a. which pair
of participants provided the closest ratings results; [0012] b. which
pair of participants provided the most disparate ratings results; [0013]
c. which identified couple in the group provided the closest ratings
data; [0014] d. which identified couple in the group provided the most
disparate ratings data; [0015] e. a deviation from aggregate group scores
on a participant by participant basis; [0016] f. one or more participants
who subjectively gave the lowest rating to the item rated highest by the
group; [0017] g. one or more participants who gave the highest rating to
the item rated lowest by the group; [0018] h. one or more participants
who gave the lowest rating to the item rated lowest by the group; [0019]
i. one or more participants who gave the highest rating to the items
rated highest by the group; [0020] j. a score of each item broken down by
sex or age groups.

[0021] In some embodiments the following additional steps can also be
optionally included:

[0022] presenting advertising to the participants electronically through
the one more electronic data collection devices during the sampling
event, which advertising is related to the items and/or items correlated
to the items can be done:

[0023] compiling ratings and other event data for one or more the
participants and presenting the same to websites for which the
participants have social networking memberships;

[0024] automatically identifying a nearest location for each of the
participants on the one or more data collection devices for purchasing
one or more of the items;

[0025] deriving the sampling data in part from kit data associated with a
predetermined item sampling kit containing the set of items and
associated identification information--the set of items can be packaged
in a manner to obscure their identity and/or origin to the group of
participants;

[0026] configuring the electronic data collection devices to communicate
directly to a restaurant or bar computing system through a network;

[0027] configuring the electronic data collection devices to automatically
capture identification information from the set of items--wherein the
identification information includes one of: a barcode, an image, an
alphanumeric label, and/or a radio frequency (RF) identification;

[0028] capturing the set of ratings with a speech recognition system;

[0029] predicting one or more items of interest to at least some of the
participants based on a collaborative filtering and/or a corroborative
filtering analysis;

[0030] monitoring redemptions of the participants of the promotional
coupons.

[0031] determining which one or more of the participants provide(s)
ratings best correlating to prior scores given by other participants in
other sampling events;

[0032] presenting electronic dynamically to the participants during the
event;

[0033] registering the item sampling event with a centralized computing
system accessible at one more item vending establishments, and wherein
the centralized computing system monitors and tracks purchases made by
participants for the event to prevent duplication and provide
recommendations to such participants;

[0034] coupling the one or more electronic data collection devices during
the item sampling event to provide common updates to each such device;
wherein one of the one or more electronic data collection devices is
configured as a master for conducting the item sampling event and
coordinating data collection from the other electronic data collection
devices;

[0035] allowing the participants to be located at disparate geographic
locations;

[0036] providing recommendations for different types of items;

[0037] presenting an output of results of the item sampling event to the
participants in text or graphical form;

[0038] providing ongoing alerts of promotional events for the items are
provided to participants--wherein the ongoing alerts are optionally
triggered in part by a correlation of a physical location of a
participant to a physical location of a merchant or other entity
associated with the promotional event.

[0039] Another aspect of the invention concerns a method of marketing and
promoting items comprising the steps: a) providing an item marketing
computing system which is coupled through a network connection to a first
item manufacturer computing system, a second item distributor computing
system, and a third item data collection computing system; the item
marketing computing system including one or more software routines to
perform the following operations: 1) coordinating communication of first
item event data to the third item data collection computing system from a
group of participants sampling a first item; 2) calculating scores for
the first item and/or for the group of participants; 3) communicating the
scores and/or the first item event data to at least the first manufacture
computing system; 4) process feedback data based on the scores and/or the
first item event data from the first manufacture computing system and/or
the second item distributor computing system which is specific to at
least one or more the group of participants; 5) communicating promotional
information to the third item data collection computing system relevant
to the first item, and/or items determined to be related to the first
item to the at least one or more of the group of participants.

[0040] The promotional information is presented dynamically from a
manufacturer and/or distributor of the first item to a participant during
the item sampling event and which promotional information is responsive
and related to scores provided by the participant and/or other
participants in the sampling event. The item sampling event is preferably
associated with tasting a food or beverage, and the items are preferably
wine.

[0041] Yet another aspect of the invention concerns an item data sampling
collection computing device comprising: an electronic interface for
capturing item sampling data from a participant for a set of items in an
item sampling event; an item sampling processing routine that is adapted
to: communicate at least some of the item sampling data with a remote
computing system; present feedback data from the remote computing system,
including advertising and/or promotional coupons for items, which
feedback data is derived at least in part from a recommender system and
is customized for one or more participants in the item sampling event;
calculate scores and awards for the one or more participants based on
evaluating and correlating their respective ratings provided on the set
of items sampled during the item sampling event.

[0042] In some embodiments the device is part of a fixed electronic kiosk
situated in a commercial establishment that serves food and/or beverages.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment the device is further adapted as a master
controller of the item sampling event, such that the device communicates
to other slave data collection devices operated by other participants and
collects the item sampling data from such slave data collection devices.
The device communicates directly to at least some of the slave data
collection devices by way of a wireless connection. It can also
communicate to the slave data collection devices through an intermediary
server computing system.

[0044] Still in a preferred embodiment the device is further adapted with
a sensor and associated routine to automatically determine identification
and/or origin data for the set of items. The sensor is at least one of an
image scanner, an RF sensor, and/or a barcode reader.

[0045] In some applications the electronic interface is adapted to be
shared the participants during the sampling event and is customized for
each participant during an item data capture session for each such
participant. This aspect of the invention allows common feedback data to
be broadcast to each of the slave collection devices at substantially the
same time to permit simultaneous consideration by the participants of
such.

[0046] In still other applications the promotional electronic coupons are
configured to only be active within a first distance of one or more
predetermined preferred establishments.

[0047] In another aspect of the invention, a data collection system for
collecting data from participants in an item sampling event comprises: a
portable master controller computing device; one or more portable slave
computing devices; wherein each of the master controller computing device
and the one or more slave computing devices having an electronic
interface for capturing item sampling data from a participant for a set
of items in an item sampling event; further wherein the portable master
controller computing device is coupled to and controls data collection
and data presentation for the item sampling event from the portable slave
computing devices; the portable master controller computing device being
further adapted with one or more software routines to: calculate scores
and awards for the participants based on evaluating and correlating their
respective ratings provided on a set of items sampled during the item
sampling event; and present feedback data from a remote computing system,
including advertising and/or promotional coupons for items, which
feedback data is derived at least in part from a recommender system and
is customized for one or more participants in the item sampling event.
The portable slave computing devices preferably provide profile
information automatically for a participant to the portable master
computing device.

[0048] Another aspect of the invention concerns an integrated sampling
event kit for sampling a set of consumable items comprising: an
integrated package including at least the following: 1) the set of
consumable items; wherein the set of consumable items are packaged in a
manner so as to obscure their origin and/or identity from at least some
of a group of participants in a sampling event; 2) a storage media
including item data stored thereon in electronic form, including
identification data for each item in the set of items. The storage media
includes data and/or computing instructions adapted to be read by a
portable computing device to assist with the sampling event data
collection/analysis.

[0049] The storage media also preferably includes software routines and/or
instructions for coordinating the sampling event, including compiling
ratings for the set of consumable items, and determining awards for the
group of participants in accordance with a sampling game procedure.
Furthermore the storage media also preferably includes software routines
and/or instructions for coordinating data exchanges between the portable
computing device and a remote computing system which presents
recommendation and/or advertising data to the portable computing device
which is correlated with the set of consumable items in the integrated
package.

[0050] A further aspect of the invention concerns a social networking
website comprising: one or more social networking web pages and/or data
feeds associated with a member of the social networking site; wherein the
member can identify a social circle specified by links and/or
associations to other member of the social networking site; a compilation
routine executing at the social networking site and adapted to receive
and process sampling event data for the member; wherein the sampling
event data includes at least member event information relating to one of:
1) a set of items; 2) ratings associated therewith provided by the
member; 3) scores and/or awards achieved by the member; 4) advertising
materials presented to the member; the compilation routine being further
adapted to automatically and selectively modify one of at least the one
or more web pages and/or data feeds associated with the member and/or
other members of the member's social circle based on the member event
information.

[0051] In preferred embodiments the member can opt in or opt out of the
compiling routine, the data feed is an RSS feed, and the sampling event
data is compiled in real-time by the social networking site. A
recommender routine is also preferably employed to correlate the member
to other members, and provide recommendations to the member relating to
other members and/or other items predicted to be of interest to the
member.

[0052] Another aspect of the invention concerns a recommender computing
system adapted to provide recommendations on a group of consumable items
comprising: a first routine of the recommender computing system being
adapted to collect at least a set of ratings for a set of consumable
items from a group of participants using one or more electronic data
collection devices during an item sampling event; a second routine of the
recommender computing system being adapted to calculate correlations
based on the set of ratings between at least one of 1) the group of
participants and other persons rating the set of consumable items or
related items; and/or 2) the set of items including at least item scores
and participant scores; and c) a third routine of the recommender
computing system being adapted to present recommendations on consumable
items to at least some of the group of participants based on the
correlations.

[0053] In preferred embodiments a fourth routine is used for interfacing
and communicating the correlations and/or the recommendations to a social
networking site and/or a computing system managed by a vendor of at least
some of the set of consumable items. The recommendations preferably are
further correlated to a group of establishments located within a first
configurable distance from one or more of the group of participants. They
can also be dynamically generated for the group of participants based on
their physical location at a particular time. The final recommendation
can further include an accompanying electronic coupon from a vendor or
distributor of a consumable item.

[0054] Still another aspect of the invention concerns a method of
conducting a contest for sampling items using a computing system
comprising: providing a set of one or items to be rated during an item
sampling event in which the items are sampled by a group of participants;
automatically collecting at set of reference ratings for the set of items
from a group of one or more reference raters using the computing system;
automatically collecting at least a set of participant ratings for the
set of items from the group of sampling participants during the item
sampling event using the computing system; calculating participant scores
for the item sampling event using the computing system. A winner of the
contest is identified by the participant scores that are based on
determining a correlation between each sampling participant rating
provided for an item, and a corresponding reference rating provided by
the one or more reference raters.

[0055] In preferred embodiments a participant having an participant rating
for an item coming closest to a reference rating for an item is
identified as a winner of the contest. Also, the sampling event is
preferably controlled such that the participants are provided the set of
items in the same sequence, and with a common set of accompanying
consumable items to provide a common experience.

[0056] The reference ratings are preferably determined from ratings
provided by other consumers of the set of items and/or individuals
designated as experts. The method can also include one or more optional
steps: providing promotional incentives and/or coupons to a subset of the
group of participants based on their participant scores; and/or
publishing the participant scores to web pages and/or other data feeds
associated with the participants.

[0057] The event can also be managed through a dedicated event management
website. Thus another aspect of the invention is directed to a website
including a computing system adapted to conduct a sampling event for a
set of items comprising: a first routine executing on the computing
system for collecting at least a set of ratings for the set of items from
a group of participants using the one or more electronic data collection
devices during the item sampling event; a second routine executing on the
computing system for calculating item sampling event data including at
least item scores and participant scores; a third routine executing on
the computing system for providing at least some of the item sampling
event data through a network to one or more electronic systems associated
with third parties involved in the making, distributing and/or selling of
the items; a fourth routine for processing and sending promotional
coupons and/or other electronic feedback from such third parties to the
one or more electronic data collection devices or electronic accounts for
the group of participants. The promotional coupons and/or other
electronic feedback are coupled and dynamically adjustable based on a
geographical location of the one or more data collection devices and/or a
residence address of the group of participants.

[0058] Another aspect of the invention concerns a prediction contest for
sampling items using a computing system comprising: providing a set of
one or items to be rated during an item sampling event in which the items
are sampled by a group of participants; automatically generating a set of
predicted ratings for said set of items by said group of participants
using said computing system prior to said sampling event; automatically
collecting at least a set of participant ratings for said set of items
from said group of sampling participants during said item sampling event
using said computing system; calculating a correlation between said set
of participant ratings and said set of predicted ratings for said item
sampling event using said computing system; providing a report to said
group of participants which contains feedback relating to said
correlation. Steps (a) through (e) can be repeated for a different group
of participants, so that a report can be published identifying a ranking
based on a respective correlation for different groups of participants.

[0059] A further aspect of the system concerns one or more systems which
include a number of software routines for causing one or more computing
devices to effectuate the above different aspects of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the main components of a preferred
integrated gourmet item data collection/recommender/vending system of the
present invention;

[0061]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram depicting the steps used in a preferred
embodiment of the invention for collecting and analyzing ratings for
items;

[0062]FIG. 3 illustrates the main components and operations used in a
preferred back end process of the invention for compiling and updating
ratings, users, etc. at respective e-commerce sites and other vendor
facilities;

[0063] FIGS. 4A to 4E illustrate aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a
website of the present invention configured to support gourmet item
sampling events.

[0064]FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred process for conducting a competitive
ratings game 500 as part of a gourmet item sampling event.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the main components of a preferred
embodiment of an integrated gourmet item data
collection/recommender/vending system 100 of the present invention. A
group of items 110 preferably include, for example, a set of distinct
wines to be rated by a sampling group 120. While the items described
herein are preferably gourmet consumable items, such as wine, cheese,
etc, it will be understood that the invention has beneficial
applicability to other domains and products where it is desirable to
collect data from the public. Other types of items also lend themselves
to group/social gatherings, discourse and ratings, such as book readings,
movie previews/reviews, music pieces, sport teams, automobiles, political
campaigns/candidates, and the like. Moreover while certain preferred
vendors, e-commerce entities, etc. are identified, it will be apparent
that other entities may be involved in the data collection, analysis and
utilization processes herein.

[0066] In some embodiments, as explained below, the item set 110 may be in
the form of a pre-packaged high end event "kit" 115 which includes all
necessary items for conducting a consumer entertainment event for tasting
and rating gourmet items, such as a collection of wines of a particular
variety (i.e., Zinfandel, Cabernet, Merlot, etc.). Media 112 may be
included with software and other data to allow an event host to manage
and direct the event from a local computing platform, such as a personal
computer. In some cases a basic data collecting tool 130 (discussed
below) for executing the routines on media 112 can also be included since
the cost of electronic components is constantly decreasing. The output of
the data collecting tool could be collected by downloading it to another
computing platform.

[0067] The items 110 may be in their original packaging/labels, or they
may be re-packaged into generic containers (not shown) with no
identifying information to permit blind sampling. In the case of original
packaged materials the kit can also include preprinted wrappings/adhesive
labels (not shown) for masking an existing label on an item and so as to
facilitate a blind tasting if desired. In the case of generic containers
they can be adapted to include convenient markings thereon to identify
suitable pouring amounts for a sampling. For example a 750 ml bottle may
have 15 markings corresponding to 50 ml each.

[0068] This "complete event in a box" approach may also be attractive for
parties, corporate retreats, etc. at locations where it is desirable to
have all components of an entertainment event self-contained in a single
package. It will be understood of course that the composition of the item
kit will be a function of the specific items to be reviewed and is
expected to vary between applications. For example in the case of a
political discourse gathering the items may be audiovisual blurbs or ads
for a candidate. In the case of movie/music embodiment the items may be
snippets of content, and so on.

[0069] Sampling group 120 includes a number of participants 121 who are
designated A, B, C, D, E, etc. in FIG. 1. While in a conventional
consumer event the participants are human, it is not unreasonable to
assume that at some point in the future automated robotic entities may be
involved in evaluating and rating the taste and desirableness of
consumable items. The site where the sampling group 120 is congregated
may be at a consumer residence, a restaurant/bar, a wine cellar, or any
other convenient assembly location. The sampling group 120 may be
geographically distributed in some cases as well so that a "virtual" wine
tasting could take place electronically.

[0070] In a commercial establishment embodiment, the set of items could be
implemented as selections of a standalone unit within a well-known
electronic dispensing system used for providing small samples of wine. By
adapting such system to provide blind tastings, the invention could be
implemented in conjunction with standard electronic debit cards typically
employed with such applications. In such instances the card may in fact
be programmed to record the customer's selections (such as which station
the customer took a sample) so the customer does not have to remember
such details. At a later visit the patron's card could be scanned to
identify which wines they liked during the prior visit, thus increasing
the odds they will find a satisfactory selection.

[0071] In a preferred wine tasting party embodiment the participants 121
employ a data collecting tool 130 for collecting event data which, in a
preferred embodiment is a portable device such as a PDA (for example a
Blackberry), a cell phone (for example an iPhone) or the like. A small
computing system such as a notebook or PC could also be used if
necessary. The data collecting tool 130 includes conventional networking
capability (wired or wireless) to exchange/communicate event data,
including with an event management website 135 discussed further below.

[0072] In one application the participants each include their own data
collecting tool 130 which allows for more flexibility, privacy, etc.
during the event data collection process. Furthermore other offers,
incentives, etc. from vendors can be communicated more easily and
directly in such fashion. However even a single data collecting tool 130
can be used as explained in further detail below.

[0073] Data collecting tool 130 may also employ speech recognition and
natural language techniques for collecting the item ratings data. These
facilities may be built in directly within the device, or may operate in
a distributed fashion with the assistance of server computers in a
networked configuration.

[0074] A variety of mechanisms can be used for collecting the identifying
information for each of the items 110 and profiles for the participants
121. Typically speaking an item to be rated will include an RF ID, a bar
code, a label or other identifier that can be examined and correlated
uniquely to a particular item. This data can be input manually to data
collecting tool 130, or in some cases, can be captured electronically
directly from the item itself. For example an RF reader, a bar code
reader or image capturing device (i.e., an onboard camera not shown) can
read/scan an identifying label for an item. The image/bar code data can
then be decoded and correlated with conventional software to a determine
a match from a database of items (not shown) to identify the item in
question. In some cases, as in a high end gourmet kit embodiment noted
above, a package of items 110 may include electronic ID information
stored on a conventional memory media device such as a USB card, a memory
stick, and other similar devices. Other examples will be apparent to
those skilled in the art.

[0075] Profiles for the samplers 121 can be determined automatically
either from prior records for such entities, information gleaned from
their respective data tools 130, from a social networking site profile,
etc. In some instances the profiles can be received as part of a data
sharing arrangement for members, such as offered by the Google or
Facebook Connect programs for example. In other cases profile data is
simply entered manually as desired to data tool 130.

[0076] Other event related data (such as situs, date, time, control
conditions) can also be collected as desired.

[0077] The event data, including profile data and item data is
(optionally) communicated to an event management website 135, and in some
cases directly to a variety of interested commercial entities 140. In the
latter case this can include, for example, one or more brick and mortar
entities, such as wine vendors (growers, distributors, etc.), local wine
merchants of wine, etc. and e-commerce operators such as wine recommender
sites, social network sites and other online operators.

[0078] Such entities 140 can similarly generate their own respective
feedback, promotional and other related data for the event, which is
pushed back to one or more data collecting tools 130. For example upon
detecting that a participant 121 has rated a particular wine with a
favorable rating a wine vendor could push an electronic coupon to such
participant either electronically by data collecting tool 130, by
email/electronic message, and/or by conventional mail. In instances where
the vendor receives advance notice of the event, they can opt to send
samples or promotional items ahead of time to gain access to the
participant opinions and samplings. Other examples are discussed below.

[0079] For some applications data collecting tool 130 is also responsible
for managing, reporting and analyzing the results of the event data as
noted at 150 to determine potential prizes and the like for individual
participants. This analysis is preferably done dynamically as the item
rating data is collected, but could be done at the end of the process if
necessary. The nature of the competitions, games and prizes is discussed
further below.

[0080] In other cases the managing/reporting/prize analysis of the event
may be done remotely by event management website (or another site) 135
which has a separate computing system (not shown) which has more
resources, is more adapted for such task, etc. The report/prize data can
then be communicated back to the participants as desired during or at the
end of the event.

[0081] The general features and interfaces of event management website 135
are discussed below in more detail in connection with FIGS. 4A to 4E.
Generally speaking this website can be programmed with suitable
intelligence to effectively manage a number of ongoing events for hosts
and participants. The events of course can differ, but for purposes of
illustration a wine sampling application is presented herein as a
preferred embodiment.

[0082] The event management website basically coordinates with online
users to help them set up and operate sampling events for wine. The
website can also be configured to operate all aspects of the event if
necessary. So, for example, during the event itself, the ratings data can
be sent and processed directly at website 135, and it can coordinate
between respective entities 140 to determine appropriate feedback for the
participants. This has the advantage of centralizing the event data and
management for multiple vendors.

[0083]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram depicting a data collecting operation 200
of a preferred embodiment of the invention for collecting and analyzing
ratings for items. At step 205, the items to be rated are sampled are set
up in appropriate fashion for sampling. As noted above this could take
place at consumer's residence or in a commercial establishment such as a
restaurant, wine tasting room, bar, etc.

[0084] The setup step 205 should also assist an event planner or manager
in determining the format to be used for the sampling, including, for
example, the type of data to be collected, rules for participants, and
rules for scoring/prizes. As an example the set up step 205 may specify a
number of event parameters such as:

[0085] a ratings scale to be used in a scoring process;

[0086] whether items must be given different/unique ratings;

[0087] whether ratings scores are to be normalized for each user;

[0088] whether (and which) certain types of ratings scores should be
weighted or eliminated from consideration in a final scoring process;

[0089] what types of ratings are to be provided by participants (see
below);

[0090] whether event data, including ratings, participant profiles, etc.,
are to be shared with other entities, and, if so, which ones;

[0091] whether prizes/awards are to be employed in the event, and, if so,
what types (explained further below);

[0092] whether one or multiple data collecting tools 130 are to be used;

[0093] whether the event is to be registered, and, if so, at which
establishments;

[0094] what kind of food, if any, was served as an accompaniment (in the
case of a wine tasting).

[0095] These are but examples of course and other potential event rules
will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the particular
application. All of these parameters may be entered into a suitable event
set up interface of event management website 135 as explained below. An
example of a preferred data screen for use with an event management
website 135 for this purpose is shown below in connection with FIG. 4A.

[0096] Returning to FIG. 2, at step 210 the individual participant
profiles are obtained. Again, as noted earlier, this may be secured from
preexisting database records, from information gleaned from a
participant's data collecting tool, etc. Alternatively it can be entered
manually to compile an event participant list using an interface of event
management website 135 as seen, for example in FIG. 4B. As seen therein a
user can simply connect to an event in progress at the appropriate time.

[0097] Again in FIG. 2, the participant data preferably includes such
information as age, sex, residence address, and other similar demographic
data. Other data can be collected as needed for particular applications,
such as income, occupation, place of employment, passwords, social
security numbers, driver license nos. credit card nos. etc. subject to
privacy considerations and participant comfort level. In some
applications it may be desirable to collect other account data for
participants, such as food/wine club memberships at local markets, email
accounts, social networking site IDs/accounts, etc. This additional
account data can be used more easily by merchants to identify and
correlate incentives and other feedback correctly to the right
individual. As an example the event data can be more easily captured
(along with images, photos, audio data) and published as content on a
participant's social networking page in an environment such as that
offered by Myspace, Facebook, and other similar sites.

[0098] At step 215, the items to be rated are analyzed as noted above to
collect their identifying criteria. For example in a wine tasting event,
the items would be individual bottles of wine from a particular vendor,
including a variety of grape, year of bottling and retail cost if
desired. Generally speaking, website 135 is enabled with a feature (see
below in FIG. 4A) that allows a host to merely specify these parameters
so that the wines are automatically selected, packaged and delivered to
the event host prior to the event date. In other cases website 135 may
merely provide a list of suggested items to be included in a sampling,
which list can be shared and communicated to other participants to ensure
proper representation.

[0099] Accordingly in certain embodiments where the participants bring the
items directly, they may be told to restrict the items to wines of a
particular grape type and a particular price range to limit variability
and improve the usefulness of the collected data. To increase the
entertainment value the website event manager, or an event planner or
organizer may "seed" the item set 110 with either or both: a) highly
rated wines outside of the price range and which are considered
significantly superior; b) poorly rated inexpensive wines that are
considered inferior. These additional item points can further interject
interest in the game as the guests can be told of such items and be asked
to guess and discriminate their presence among another set of items
during a blind taste test.

[0100] The data is captured manually or automatically as desired. In some
instances it may be possible to have event management website 135
coordinate with local merchants using "registered" data events, in the
same manner that weddings and the like are conventionally registered. In
such cases the purchase of the item in question could be correlated
automatically by software at the event management website 135 with the
correct event to avoid further data entry impositions on the
participants. By registering events it is also possible to avoid
situations where guests bring inadvertently duplicate items. Furthermore
the use of registered events allows an event organizer to monitor the
state of progress of item collections (see below) and determine the
composition of the item group, and thus determine whether supplemental
purchases/items are needed to augment the samples.

[0101] During step 220 the participant ratings, predictions and other
desired event data are collected, preferably at the time of the event and
in real-time while the participants are involved in the event. In a
preferred embodiment at least the individual item ratings are collected.
The data can be collected by the event management website 135 (as seen
below in FIGS. 4A, 4C), or by another program executing on data
collection device 130. In the case of wine items at least, the identity
of the items is preferably concealed so that the raters are not aware or
biased by the source of the item. In the "kit" arrangement noted earlier
it is possible that the individual items can be labeled with generic
identifying information that conceals the true identity/source to
preserve the integrity of the blind tasting.

[0102] In addition to rating data the event can be enhanced by the
addition of other ancillary data that is used to further increase the
interest and enjoyment of the participants. For example the event may be
staged as a form of wine tasting game or competition in which
participants are solicited not only for their own opinions of the item in
question, but also for their predictions on: a) how their significant
other would rate the item in question; b) how the other members in the
sampling group would rate the item in question; c) how an expert or
connoisseur would rate the item.; d) a cost for the item; e) whether they
would recommend the wine to a good friend, etc. Other prediction/opinion
data can be captured, of course, and the invention is not limited in this
respect.

[0103] In some applications, particularly involving wine, the ratings data
routine can be programmed to provide suggestions to the participants to
capture other data specific to such product, such as the particular
tastes or smells evoked by the wine, what food they may have had an
accompaniment, and the names of any other beverages they may have
consumed immediately before. This feature makes it easier on the
participants to provide specific feedback data and allows them to learn
about other qualifications/criteria used to judge the quality of wines.
Similar options could be made available for other products.

[0104] The data is input either by touchpad, keyboard entry or speech by
each participant into their respective data collecting tool 130 which is
configured to manage the event in case event management website 135 is
not used. In the case of a touchpad or keyboard entry, it is possible
that other icons and interaction mechanisms could be provided to signify
feedback. For instance, an iPhone like device could have an icon of a
wine glass that the user interacts with to express a rating. This could
be done by filling it to a certain level (1-10) or emptying to express a
rating. In another case the size of the glass could be altered from
smaller to larger with a finger touch to express a rating. Alternatively
a visual graph or spectrum could be employed to express a more subjective
rating.

[0105] In the case of speech input a speech recognition routine is used to
decode words and phrases from the participant, typically in conjunction
with a natural language engine. Furthermore in some cases it may be
desirable (with the permission of the participants) to record and journal
the discussions of the participants for each item for later review and
study by vendors. These types systems are well-known in the art and thus
are not discussed herein.

[0106] Again the act of collecting data can be managed through website 135
or locally as well. For example in cases where the participants have
individual collecting tools 130, a main event organizer can coordinate
the collection of data from each individual device by syncing up and
collecting data from such separate devices--preferably through a wireless
connection. Alternatively such devices can connect to website 135. Thus
each participant tool 130 connects into an event organizer system
operated on a main data collection tool 130 locally or remotely at
website 135. This allows a large group of individuals to be managed from
a single device platform for the convenience of the group, as the bulk of
the compilations, tabulations, etc. can be done with a single tool. It
should be noted nonetheless that the results of the event, including a
report on item ratings, and other related event data, can be pushed to
each individual device as desired.

[0107] If only a single data collecting tool 130 is employed, it may be
desirable to shield the data input from respective participants. To
accomplish this, an electronic shield or screen may be imposed in between
individual participant entries. Thus each participant would only see
their respective data input screens, and at the end of their turn, they
would pass on the device to the next participant. The main data event
routine would then automatically blank the data from the participant
within the collection screen and present the next participant with the
appropriate fields ready for data entry. An example of a data screen for
use with an event management website 135 is shown below in connection
with FIG. 4c.

[0108] At step 225 the ratings and prediction data are tabulated in
accordance with the objectives and parameters set for the event. Thus the
item ratings are evaluated and computed to determine a final overall
rating/ranking for each item. An example of options available for ratings
selectable by a host from an event management website 135 is shown below
in connection with FIG. 4A.

[0109] As noted above the ratings from participants may be adjusted or
normalized in some instances to provide better comparisons of data.
Rankings and ratings may be presented with or without such
normalizations.

[0110] More interesting, perhaps, are not the item rankings per se, but
the participant ratings. For example, a determination can be made of the
following: [0111] 1. A ranking of couple ratings comparisons, such as
by identifying which couple provided the closest ratings results (as
measured, for example, by a conventional least squares calculation);
[0112] 2. conversely, within such set, which couple provided the most
disparate ratings results (again as measured, for example, by a
conventional least squares calculation); [0113] 3. which pair of people
in the group provided the closest ratings data; [0114] 4. which pair of
people in the group provided the most disparate ratings data; all of the
above can be presented in some form of table or visual graph identifying
associations between individuals for ease and convenience; [0115] 5.
correlations between each participant and their deviation from aggregate
group scores; for example, for the highest rated item, identifying the
person who rated such item as the highest within their scores; [0116] 6.
conversely, identifying the person who subjectively gave the lowest
rating to the item rated highest by the group; [0117] 7. similarly,
identifying the person who gave the highest rating to the item rated
lowest by the group; [0118] 8. along such lines, identifying the
person(s) who gave the lowest rating to the item rated lowest by the
group; [0119] 9. identifying the highest rated items rated by sex or age
groups. [0120] These correlations, and others, can be compiled to
provide insights to and for the benefit of the participants.

[0121] In some applications where it is desirable to add a gaming or
competitive element to the event, it is possible to correlate the scores
of participants against other third party references, such as wine
experts, connoisseurs, and the like. This is also one of the options
shown in FIG. 4A.

[0122] Back in FIG. 2 during step 220, the participants would be permitted
to enter their predicted scores for what such third party references had
provided to such item. Awards, prizes, coupons or other incentives can be
provided by wine vendors and merchants to promote interest in such
contests. The contests can be structured as a "predict the score of the
experts" game to solicit predictions from participants and as a basis for
further recognition within the contest.

[0123] As noted above, the invention allows participants to provide
further predictions on how other members in the group may rate a
particular item. For example, spouses and other pairs of participants
could be asked how their significant other would rate the item in
question. This part of the tabulation provides interest to the
participants as it helps to identify those couples with the most and
least similar tastes.

[0124] Similarly, predictions made by participants about group tastes,
expected costs, and recommendations are also useful for both
entertainment purposes within the group as well as data collection for
entities 140 mentioned earlier. By presenting the data collection in an
interesting and entertaining manner, participants both enjoy the
experience and provide valuable data to the various item merchants and
other e-commerce operators. As noted earlier, the event data may be
collected and uploaded dynamically to various entities directly or
through event management website 135, such as to vendor-merchants 245,
social network and recommender sites 250 and game/entertainment sites
255. This would have the benefit of allowing such entities to deliver
feedback and/or content related advertising to individual participant's
on-the-fly while the experience and impressions are fresh on the minds of
such individuals, and directly in response to the ratings and prediction
data provided by the participants.

[0125] In some instances entities 140 can be given access directly to
tabulation data from step 225 as well, as maintained by a master event
organizer routine executing on one or more of the data collecting
devices, or at website 135. This allows for other dynamic recommendation
"matchings" that can be provided in real-time to the participants. For
example, a vendor 140 may note that individuals A and B are highly
correlated in their wine (or other item) preferences. It may also be
known (from other data mining resources) that certain wine preferences
are also highly correlated to other preferences in art, literature, food,
movies, or some other endeavor. A vendor computing system (not shown) can
thus draw upon such recommendation technologies and give a suggestion to
either or both individuals A, B based on their respective prior
preference expressions.

[0126] So if participant A had recently purchased title X from Amazon, or
rented movie Y from Netflix, these informational tidbits could be
communicated to participant B--who is known to be highly correlated with
A's tastes--in the form of friendly conversational ice breakers for such
individuals to facilitate social discourse. Similarly the system could
identify the fact that both A and B had recently seen or reviewed the
same movie very highly, and this fact could be shared as well with both
participants to increase enjoyment for the group.

[0127] Therefore, one corollary aspect of the invention allows for
situations in which advertising and/or other solicitations for opinions
on unrelated items are secured during ratings capture step 220 from
participants. Thus a movie or book vendor 140 may be permitted to
piggy-back on the event and make specific targeted queries interspersed
during the event ratings periods to garner further opinion data, and/or
provide targeted ads based on correlating such ratings to a database of
other items and/or an advertising stock. Other advertisers could employ
the same function for their products/services.

[0128] At step 230 results are presented to the participants regarding the
overall scoring, rating of each item. An example of a preferred data
screen for presenting such results with an event management website 135
is shown below and discussed in connection with FIG. 4D.

[0129] These results can be presented in a sequence based on a score, or,
preferably, in a same sequence as that used for the sampling. This
provides an opportunity to explore and investigate the character of each
item among the participants without knowledge of the final results.
Generally speaking if the sequence is done based on overall winners,
losers, etc. the discussion portion is more focused on the results rather
than on specifics of each entry. The data output can take any desired
textual or graphical form.

[0130] In some instances it may be desirable to allow item vendors to
present promotional materials during the event, so that as each item is
presented and rated, various forms of background information are
presented for the benefit of the participants. This can be displayed
along with the results as seen, for example in FIG. 4D discussed further
below.

[0131] Then at step 235 in FIG. 2 results are presented regarding the
characteristics of the participants as explained above for step 220. An
example of a preferred output for this step is also shown in FIG. 4D.
This aspect of the event can also be highly entertaining as inevitably
surprises and insights are gleaned by the participants from the ratings
behavior of their fellow participants. Rewards/booby prizes can be then
be meted out as this time as well, for example to the participants who
meet the criteria noted above, and/or who brought the highest rated wine,
or the worse rated wine, etc. etc. Individuals who were best predictors
of their significant others, experts, and the group can also be
recognized.

[0132] During step 240 the various vendors 140 are preferably allowed to
present feedback and incentives to the participants. As noted earlier,
the event data may be collected dynamically or collectively at the end of
the event, depending on the particular application. The vendors 140 may
or may not have access to the tabulation results, or any other prediction
data provided by the participants beyond bare ratings for the items.
Again, the extent and scope of the data to be shared is preferably left
to the discretion of the event manager and the individual participants.

[0133] The feedback and incentives can take any number of forms. It may be
as simple as generic gift certificates for particular types of wine (or
for whatever item was being sampled) or other accompanying products
(cheese, chocolate or other gourmet foods).

[0134] Coupons can also be distributed to the participants, either
electronically or in hard copy form by regular mail. The coupons can be
correlated to a participant's residence or place of work, so that they
are usable only within certain establishments. These establishments, in
turn can thus coordinate with wine growers, vendors, etc. to target
particular individuals within a certain radius of their stores.

[0135] The main wine vendors could further track the participants'
preferences, and then use a conventional map mash-up to further educate
and point out the location of items of interest based on the results of
the event. For example, a vendor could track a user's location and inform
him/her that a merchant (or vineyard, or restaurant, or bar) at a
particular location in their vicinity carried one or more wine types
determined to be of interest to the participant based on the sampling
event (and similar prior events). By providing this information
immediately in conjunction with the occurrence of the event the vendors
can capitalize on the participants' interest and afford them an easy
opportunity to satisfy their wishes.

[0136] Other item related information could also be passed down to the
participants, such as the history, production or marketing details of the
vineyard in question for wines which they found attractive. Predictions
and recommendations for other wines could be made as well, using standard
corroborative filtering techniques.

[0137] Accordingly, a series of wine related coupons could be generated
and customized for each participant, and downloaded automatically into
their data collection tool 130, another electronic account, or under
control of accounts through event management website 135. Again these are
preferably used in establishments which have a relationship with the wine
vendor. The coupons may be accessed directly from the participant's data
collection tool 130 or another computing device, and thus easily redeemed
(i.e. by referencing an identification number) from local merchants.

[0138] From a social networking perspective, the participants could be
presented with additional information relating their ratings to other
members within or outside of their social circles. For example a
notification could be made to other members of their social group that
the user was involved in a particular event. By educating them about
other similarly minded persons the participants can again derive
additional benefit and enjoyment from the sampling events. The option to
elect such inclusion can be made, for example, preferably using an
interface screen such as shown in FIG. 4B or some other suitable means.

[0139] As noted below, vendors can mine the lists to see who are good
candidates for invitations to wine tastings and other similar parties.
Furthermore the vendors may be able to do more sophisticated data mining
to detect more subtle correlations, such as whether there are any
material ratings differences depending on a sequence in which two items
are sampled, or if certain items tend to be rated higher when they
incorporated into samplings with other particular items. For example, an
item A may tend to receive a higher rating when it is sampled right after
item B, instead of being sampled before item B. These types of
correlations can be identified used, in fact, to develop preferred
"sequences" of wine tastings for those persons interested in optimizing
an enjoyment of a sampling event.

[0140]FIG. 3 illustrates the main components and operations used in a
preferred back end process of the invention for compiling and updating
ratings, users, etc. at respective e-commerce sites and other vendor
facilities. This back end process is preferably implemented as one or
more software routines executing on a variety of servers at event
management website 135, or at other computing systems controlled by the
various respective entities.

[0141] At step 305 event management website 135, or a vendor computing
system (not shown) provides basic set up information for the event, such
as by assigning an event ID, a group ID, or similar identifier. This
identifier could include a list of the items, the participants, the
location of the event, and other similar reference data.

[0142] In the case of a prepared or packaged kit, event management website
135 or the vendor (or some other entity) is responsible for compiling an
appropriate set of items, which may be associated with a kit identifier.
Website 135 can include programmed logic for this task; alternatively the
vendors and other similarly situated entities can design the kits based
on their particular marketing and research needs.

[0143] For example, a wine vendor may want to see what the public's
reaction to various formulations or mixes of the same type of grape, say
Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, etc. The kit items would thus
be constituted of multiple variants from the same grower/vendor. The kits
could be supplied directly to event hosts, therefore, or to website 135
for distribution through managed events.

[0144] The ratings data received from the event could then be used by
vendors to determine optimal blends for production and planning. In other
instances a vendor may want to know how their product stacks up
competitively against other selected products from unrelated third
parties. The kits would then allow such vendors to reach out and
determine the competitiveness of their product in a real-world
environment. The composition of the item set in the kit, therefore, can
be tailored as desired to provide meaningful experimental feedback data.
The kits may include other complementary products, of course, which may
designed to optimize the enjoyment of the product in question, for
example, cheese, crackers, bread, nuts, fruit, etc. in the case of wine.
The value of website 135 as an intermediary is thus potentially quite
useful as the manager of such system can pick and choose from different
vendors, and create customized kits as needed by individual events.

[0145] During step 310 the item data and user profile data is uploaded.
The items are correlated as necessary with a database of items (not
shown) for purposes of accurate record keeping. When the item is unknown,
or new, the back end process 300 can create a new record as needed to
begin the compilation process. Again in a kit implementation the data is
already pre-stored.

[0146] Similarly the profile data for the users is recorded and maintained
for the event as well. As alluded to above appropriate privacy measures
can be implemented to assure the anonymity of the users.

[0147] In embodiments where website 135 or the vendor is conducting
scoring, tabulating, etc., this is done by any conventional means as
shown in step 315 in accordance with the guidelines noted above.
Alternatively in implementations where the data collection devices 130
contain such functionality, the already tabulated data is uploaded to the
back end process. It will be apparent that the tabulation of the event
data could be done partially at both locations to share the burden and so
as to integrate other data from sources unavailable from one or other
systems. For example a website 135 or vendor back end routine may have
access to data from other sources through contractual relationships that
are not available to a typical end user of a data collection device 130.
The back end process may also have access to more powerful data
computation and presentation tools which can be used to enhance the
feedback provided to the event participants.

[0148] If a competition or game is implicated as part of the event, the
website 135 (or vendor) accounts for and determines whether any of the
participants are entitled to prizes and the like at step 318. Again the
format and prizes will vary according to the particular application. As
noted earlier one type of award may hinge on the ability of participants
to guess the ratings previously provided by known experts.

[0149] At step 320 the item and user records are updated based on the
scores and other attributes provided to the items, and the ratings,
predictions and other data provided by the participants. Again the amount
and types of data to be collected and stored will be a function of the
articles in question and the particular system to be implemented.

[0150] One or more calculations can be performed at step 322 to identify
markers and predictors. These correspond to individuals among the
participants who have distinguished themselves as reporting scores for
items which tend to track the mean, median or other statistical parameter
of the event group, a reference set of tasters, a larger population
group, etc. In other words these persons are singled out for their
predictive prowess as it were because their tastes are found to
accurately mirror/predict the ratings of others. These individuals may be
targeted/solicited for inclusion in focus groups and other events
sponsored by vendors to help rate and identify new products. Other offers
and incentives may be presented to such individuals to glean their
insights.

[0151] Other tabulations gleaned from operations associated with step 225
(FIG. 2) can also be compiled. For example, a website 135 (or vendor or
other entity) may want to compile records on couples who tend to have
similar tastes, or high accuracy ratings in terms of predicting each
other's tastes.

[0152] The information obtained from the item ratings and scores can also
be used at step 325 for marketing, planning and inventory analysis
routines. For example, if a particular item is found to be particularly
appealing to a particular demographic profile, this information can be
provided and used in a targeted marketing campaign so that the selection
of individuals receiving such promotions are likely to respond favorably.
Other uses for this data will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0153] Similarly if a particular item is found to be very popular this
fact can be used to identify potential inventory shortfalls, production
changes, etc. Conversely an item that is not found to be desirable can be
deemphasized as needed in favor of better performers. This type of
analysis, of course, is most useful early on in the introduction cycle of
a new product since sales and adoption rate data may be incomplete. Again
the collection of this data by website 135 places it in a unique position
to provide valuable insights to item vendors and distributors.

[0154] Website 135 and/or vendor(s) may then use the event data, including
tabulation data, to generate reports 345, coupons/incentives 350, and
feedback to local merchants 355. The reports may take any number of forms
suitable for relating the general parameters of the event and the results
thereof. Again, as noted above, in the context of an entertainment event
the report may include text, charts, figures and other graphical data
that communicates the scores of the items, scores of the participants,
item-item correlations, and participant correlations among other
parameters.

[0155] In some instances the reports may take the form of ongoing alerts
to the participants, informing them immediately when special offers are
available on items which they rated favorably at the event, or for items
determined to be likely of interest. These alerts may be geographically
targeted as well, and be correlated to the participant's physical
location, so that, for example, an alert for item A only appears when the
user is in one location, while an alert for item B would appear when the
user is in a separate location. The participants can elect to subscribe
to such alerts on an item by item basis or any other appropriate level of
control.

[0156] The reports may also inform participants of other complementary
products they are likely to enjoy as a result of their scoring on the
event items.

[0157] Coupons/incentives 350 may also take a variety of forms depending
on the implementation. As noted above the coupons may be in paper or
electronic form, and may be delivered by regular mail or electronically
to the participants and other targeted members of the public. A coupon
preferably is in electronic form suitable for delivery to the
participant's computing device (including data collection device 130 in
some instances) and will be correlated (or redeemable conditionally) in
some fashion with a merchant with whom the vendor has a favorable
relationship, and/or a merchant this is geographically located proximate
to the event site, the domiciles of the respective participants, or the
residences of other targeted members of the public. The location of the
participant can be determined by reference to GPS data, cell tower data,
packet delay data, etc., and other mechanisms known in the art.
Additional geographic mapping data can be provided along with an
electronic coupon so that when it is delivered to the participant's data
collection device 130, an electronic map can be presented to the user
indicating the location of the nearest store/merchant carrying the
item(s) in question to facilitate and encourage purchases of the products
from preferred merchants. The coupons can be for items of the same type
as those rated in the event, or they can of course be simply other items.

[0158] Alternatively an email or other electronic message can include
embedded electronic links and other content related to an online vendor
of the items. So, for example, a participant may receive an email with
links informing them of a number of online wine vendors who have the best
price available for one or more wines rated highly by (or predicted to be
desirable for) the participant. The links can be generated by an
electronic based mass marketing system (not shown) that automatically
executes targeted searches based on the wine in question (i.e., a 2004
Stag's Leap Chardonnay) at competitive shopping sites (i.e., such as
Google's shopping site) and delivers results directly to the participant.
This type of targeted marketing allows for higher conversions and
monetization of such advertisements. By partnering with direct to
consumer wine retail websites, a portion of such leads generated by the
present invention can be captured in the form of commissions.

[0159] Therefore at step 360 the back end process (at website 135 or at a
vendor site) preferably performs tracking and tabulating of the
redemptions made by participants and other persons for the coupon
products in question. This monitoring of the performance of the
coupons/incentives allows for further refinement, targeting and follow up
with the appropriate consumer profile. For example, the redemption rate
for coupons of varying values, for particular local merchants, for
particular products, etc., may be compiled to determine the efficacy of
the promotions. Other events which can be tracked, of course, include the
participant selections of advertising presented for such products, as
referred to above in FIG. 2 reference numeral 240.

[0160] As shown at 365 website 135 and/or the vendor may also have their
own database for tracking item and participant correlations. This may be
done using any conventional collaborative, corroborative, or other data
filtering techniques known in the art. This allows website 135 and/or the
vendors, for example, to identify clusters of participants with similar
tastes, items which tend to be correlated well with other items, etc.

[0161] So for example, after reviewing event data and noting that person A
preferred product X, the system may note that person B, who is well
correlated to A, has not tried X at this time. This analysis (other
techniques are also possible of course) can help to provide predictions
and recommendations to person B (and others similarly situated) by
website 135 and/or the vendor for more effective targeting. Similarly the
item ratings can be updated to determine item-to-item correlations. For
example, the system may note that persons who rated X highly also rated Y
(and other products) highly, and so forth. This information can be used,
again, for marketing, advertising and other promotional purposes. Thus,
when person A expresses an interest in product X, website 135 and/or the
vendor can generate a prediction and related recommendation for A to
inform him/her of the existence of Y (and others as appropriate).

[0162] Again, as noted, the recommendations can take the form of very
specific geographic targeted alerts, messages, so that when A is in a
particular store (brick and mortar or virtual) the system can detect
his/her location, and notify A (through a PDA/cell phone browser, or
Internet interface) that product Y is available (again, perhaps with an
accompanying electronic coupon) within such within such establishment
(including websites of course). Thus the invention correlates user
location with items/products in which they have expressed an interest (or
items which are predicted for them to be of interest). It then helps them
to easily identify proximate sources of the same, and particularly from
establishments who are coordinated with website 135 and/or the vendor to
effectively market/sell targeted products. In some implementations a data
collection device can be set to an auto-item discovery mode, so that when
the participant is within an establishment, the device can inform the
person on whether there are desirable items at such location. This
creates an end-to-end virtual marketing/distribution chain that is
optimized for the user dynamically on a location and product basis.

[0163] At 355 the local merchants are provided with excerpts, as desired,
of the tabulated ratings and other event data. This assists such entities
in performing their own localized target marketing to individuals located
in close proximity to their establishments. This information can also
assist them in determining their own planning and inventory management.

[0164] The event data can also be provided to generic product recommender
systems at step 340. For example, other websites or other set of vendors
may be interested in maintaining a database of user tastes, user
clusterings, item correlations, etc. for their own respective
collaborative/corroborative filtering system. As noted earlier, a number
of third party sites are known to provide suggestions and ideas for
wines, and thus such entities can exploit the data collections maintained
by embodiments of the present invention. These entities can maintain
their own separate user clusterings, item correlations, etc., or they can
simply use the already tabulated data from the vendor as created at 365.

[0165] In some embodiments the activities of the participants can be
communicated to and recorded at one or more social networking sites as
shown at 330. For example a social networking site member may be a
participant in one of the events noted herein. This fact, along with (all
or some portion of) the person's preferences as expressed in the event,
may be communicated and maintained either at such member's personal site,
as part of a personal data feed to other selected members, or at other
social groups maintained at such site. For instance the social networking
site may maintain a wine group that tracks ratings and interests for its
members. The tabulated data from the member (and other members from other
events) can be used to compile one or more lists of brand items preferred
by such site members.

[0166] Again the inclusion of such data at the social networking site
would be an option available to the member at his/her own discretion. The
participant may elect for the event data to be selectively disseminated
to preferred members of course, including only persons within a certain
select circles or designated degrees of friendship/kinship. In some cases
it may be possible to anonymize the data from participating members so
that only the raw ratings are provided at step 330 for compiling of the
community's overall tastes.

[0167] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above is
merely an example and that countless variations can be implemented in
accordance with the present teachings. A number of other conventional
steps that would be included in a commercial application have been
omitted, as well, to better emphasize the present teachings.

[0168] The features, functionality and appearance of a preferred website
135 configured in accordance with teachings of the present invention is
shown in FIGS. 4A to 4E. These figures illustrate examples of interfaces
and functions performed in a preferred embodiment of the invention in
which the items consist of wine articles.

[0169] In FIG. 4A, a preferred embodiment of a wine party event setup
interface 410 is depicted. This screen is primarily responsible for
collecting the setup information discussed above in connection with FIGS.
2 and 3, including steps 205-215. The entry fields and options are
self-explanatory but are explained here further nonetheless. As seen in
FIG. 4A, a party host can specify the date and time of an event, and the
location. The party host can also specify what type of event is required
(in this case a tasting of Cabernet related wines). The event ID and Kit
ID are also shown for reference and administrative purposes. A
participant response status is also conveniently displayed so that he
host can determine an expected attendance and progress to date in
collecting appropriate samples (when that option is elected).

[0170] The Event details 415 also highlight other options that can be
elected. For example, a host can decide whether they are going to
run/manage the event on their own, or if they are going to rely on wine
party website 135 instead. In the former case the host can then also
specify the nature and contents of media 112 to be used, so that it can
be customized to their liking and requirements. Similarly the event host
can specify that they are going to supply the items, or that the wine
party site should supply the wine. In the latter case the host can elect
for the items in the kit to be automatically compiled in accordance with
the criteria noted above in step 215, i.e., to include wines in
particular price ranges, for particular wineries, or even request a
randomized option. Furthermore the host can specify whether the event is
to be a blind tasting or not. In those cases where website is to supply
the items, an option can then be elected for the bottles to be shipped to
the event host with blanking labels to obscure their origin.
Alternatively if the host is to purchase the wines they can nonetheless
request a set of masking labels from website 135.

[0171] As noted above in step 220 the event host can specify what types of
data are to be collected, including ratings, predictions, profiles, etc.
as noted earlier. Another selectable option is whether or not the item
suppliers are allowed to present short multimedia promotions during the
event as discussed above. Furthermore the website 135 can be instructed
to conduct various forms of games, competitions within the guidelines
addressed earlier. For presenting results (as discussed for step 230,
235) the system can be configured to present such information only to
event participants, or to share it with other vendors and merchants.

[0172] The types of prizes, promotions, etc., can also be specified as
noted to include coupons and other incentives. To optimize response rates
the system can be directed further to send timely reminders to
participants through different delivery channels. Similarly the system
can include a "preview" option in which the overall selection/list of
items is sent in compiled form to the participants to educate them in
advance of the selections to be sampled at the event. Finally the host
can also ask for suggestions on particular types of foods to accompany
the tasting, and direct that such also be included as part of an event
order.

[0173] All of the above options are modifiable directly within interface
410, and/or in more detailed form using a button/field 412. The latter
merely presents an additional menu/screen (not shown) for collecting this
data in any desired and conventional manner known in the art.

[0174] Within the interface are also further options for configuring the
event. For example at button/field 411 an additional menu/screen (not
shown) is implemented in conventional fashion for capturing the
participant names, emails, and other desired profile information as noted
above in step 210. Field 413 allows the event host to select among and
pick the different types of sampling kits that can be used for the event
as noted above. The host's account information, including contact and
billing information, can be selected from field 414. Again, these are but
examples of the kinds of fields/data that can be collected within an
event set up interface, and it is expected that commercial embodiments
will vary visually and functionally significantly from this and from each
other.

[0175] In FIG. 4B, a preferred embodiment of a wine party event hookup
interface 420 is depicted. This screen is primarily responsible for
permitting individual participants to connect to specific events. Thus,
each participant preferably has an account which permits access to
different events which the participant is invited to. A participant would
be given an access code or other URL for accessing the event associated
with entry screen shown in FIG. 4B. Fields 421 provide the identifying
information for the event. At field 422 a participant can see the results
(final or in progress) for the event, including winning wines, winning
participants, and the like. In portion 423 of the interface a participant
can view his/her prizes, individualized coupons, targeted promotional
materials, etc. Other marketing information, ads and similar content can
also be presented.

[0176] Profile information can be seen/altered at portion 424 of the
interface, including demographic data, residence/work addresses,
interests, affiliated account names at other sites (such as social
networking sites), etc. This allows for sharing and publishing of the
event data at the participant's discretion. An RSS feed can also be
provided for interface 420 for the benefit of broadcasting a
participant's results.

[0177] Lastly, portion 425 of the interface includes some activatable
button or URL to cause the participant to be connected to the event in
question. By connecting to the event the participant can then participate
in the rating of items, review of contents, collection of promotional
materials, etc.

[0178] Next in FIG. 4c a preferred embodiment of a ratings capture
interface 430 is shown for the invention. Again the entry screen is
adapted to capture ratings by individual in a region 431, including the
parameters discussed above in connection with FIGS. 2, 3, such as item
ratings, predictions for other individuals, predictions for expert
ratings, and other descriptors. Suggestions for descriptors can be given
to the raters to facilitate data entry. As noted earlier in the preferred
embodiment the screen resets itself after each person makes an entry and
sequences to the next individual to allow for anonymous ratings
collecting.

[0179] In FIG. 4D a preferred embodiment of a results interface 440 is
shown. In region 441 of the display it can be seen that scoring data is
compiled and presented for the participant's benefit, including an
overall ratings score, statistical information, relative placement of the
item compared to others, predicted data, etc. It should be noted that all
or some portions of the results interface may be presented to individual
participant devices 130. In some cases it may be useful to depict the
ratings data in graphical format.

[0180] At portion 442 of the interface the vendor of the item is given a
canvas or display region in which to present multimedia information
concerning the item, such as text, graphics, images, video, audio, etc.,
conveying background information on the items in question. Awards and
other related data can also be presented for the viewing audience's
pleasure. This feature allows the vendors to showcase their wines and
promote themselves in short, succinct snippets.

[0181] In area 443 of the interface the participant can see predictions
and recommendations for other wines/items based on correlations to other
items. Negative correlations can also be accommodated if desired. Thus
the participants can be given specific tailored suggestions on items that
they are likely to enjoy given a positive/negative rating for a
particular wine.

[0182] Finally, in area 444 the interface is adapted to allow participants
to opt in to receive additional promotional materials, discounts,
coupons, etc. for the item in question. For individual devices 130 this
may cause the promotional data to be downloaded directly to the same, or
in other cases it may be sent in email form. While not shown in interface
440 it will be apparent that other areas of the display could be modified
to provide more comprehensive results comparing the entire item set, the
entire set of scores for participants, etc.

[0183] FIG. 4E shows a preferred embodiment of a vendor interface 450 as
could be employed in embodiments of the present invention. This data
capture/presentation screen permits vendors to manage and coordinate
multiple events involving their products. Thus, for each vendor, a
software tool is provided at 451 to manage specific events. While the
specific format of this event manager is not shown, it could take the
form of FIG. 4A, modified of course by any vendor's requirements.

[0184] At entry area 452, a software routine is adapted to allow the
vendor to propose/construct event kits suitable for use at the item
sampling events. For example, the vendor may provide a list of wines of a
particular vineyard and grape type which they want website 135 to present
as an event kit. Alternatively this feature can be used by the vendors to
vend specific kits independently with stock items from the event
management website 135. For example it may be desirable to re-package the
vendor's items into suitable form (standardized bottles, containers,
labels, etc.) that is consistent with a preferred appearance for the
kits.

[0185] For the distributor relationship manager function shown at 453, a
routine and related databases are adapted to permit the vendor to
identify key relationships with distributors, and to set up prioritized
designations of entities to be associated with participants. For example,
as noted above a vendor may designate a particular set of distributors to
be used in events associated with a particular zip code. The vendor can
also specifically identify other websites (including social networking
sites for example) which are permitted to share or access data for
particular events, products and/or participants. Other examples will be
apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0186] An additional software option for managing competitions, prizes,
etc, is provided for at functional selection 454. This allows a vendor to
set up various games in accordance with the discussion above in
connection with step 318 and related procedures (FIG. 3). Similarly, an
option 455 permits the vendor to manage product coupons and incentives,
such as designating which items are to be associated with coupons, the
amount of such coupons, the locales of such coupons, the demographic
profiles of target participants, etc. Again this information would be
stored in a conventional database using well-known software and query
techniques.

[0187] At option 456 the vendor is permitted to see a complete list of all
events associated with their products. Again, any form of presentation
and format known in the art would be acceptable for this purpose.
Preferably the vendor can see all upcoming events sorted by date, by
item, by participants, by demographic groups, etc.

[0188] Option 457 invokes a routine that displays product/participant
rating histories. This, again, can be supported using any number of
conventional software programs and associated databases. This feature
preferably allows a vendor to sort and tabulate products by identifier,
by ratings value, etc., and to identify participants who rank their
products high (or low) as well. The performance rating of an item can
also be tracked over time to see if it is changing. Similar studies can
be made of individuals, as well, to see if their interest is waxing or
waning in the vendor's products. All of this data can be used to help
develop and focus marketing/advertising campaigns and literature.

[0189] At option 458 the vendor can manage and view product recommendation
data, again using conventional software and databases adapted for such
purpose. The system preferably allows a vendor to exploit both
collaborative filtering (person to person) and corroborative filtering
(item to item) techniques to identify trends and correlations between
persons and items. The vendor can also, if desired, explicitly bias the
system so that a first item is correlated to a second item for
promotional purposes. Other correlation adjustments can be made as
necessary to promote the goals and targets of the vendor, such as by
increasing or decreasing the probability of certain predictions,
recommendations, etc. Correlations between unrelated types of items can
also be specified, for example, so that a certain wine is recommended
with a certain appetizer, dessert, etc. By developing/accessing user
correlations the vendor can also begin to compile a library of individual
tastes for their products and identify candidate persons for the types of
functions noted above in connection with procedure 322 (FIG. 3).

[0190] Using option 459 a vendor can manage and view product promotional
content, including snippets of multimedia data appropriate for
presentation within a user interface at device 130 as noted earlier. The
vendor can also upload and edit content using conventional routines to
format the same into correct form for different types of participant
computing platforms. The promotional content preferably should consist of
short audiovisual presentations describing the history/background of the
product, the vendor, etc., or in the case of wine, information on the
locale where the grapes are grown, the harvesting and manufacturing
processes, quality control parameters, awards and other related
advertising data. Again in a sampling event context it is preferable that
the promos be of the same length, and not be too long so as to bore
participants. The amount of time will vary according to product of
course, but in most cases a few minutes or less may be appropriate for
the item in question.

[0191] The vendor is also given an option at 460 to manage their generic
account information, which may include passwords, billing information,
addresses and other administrative data.

[0192] Again while illustrative data entry fields and content are depicted
in FIGS. 4A-4E it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
other data can be captured and presented, and other mechanisms can be
employed to solicit the required information. The final form of such
interfaces are expected to vary widely in accordance with the application
and the nature of the items.

[0193]FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred process for conducting a competitive
ratings game 500 as part of a gourmet item sampling event. This aspect of
the invention allows participants to be evaluated and rewarded on an
event/team basis for consistency and accuracy of their ratings data. From
a high level perspective this feature allows participants to match their
ratings against a prediction generated by a computerized scorer
monitoring the event. Participants can then be rewarded based on how
closely their ratings match the predictions made by the computerized
scorer. Note that this technique can be used in other environments as
well, and is not limited to the present embodiments.

[0194] In some instances it may be necessary to solicit explicit ratings
from the participants in advance to develop a profile, as is done with
conventional recommendation systems. This data can be collected in any
desired fashion by reference to items already known to the system, so
that appropriate correlations can be developed for the participant in
question. Since the identity of the items to be sampled is known in
advance, the invention can exploit this knowledge to pick ratings items
based on known correlations. Thus, if item X is correlated with enough
data to item Y, and X is to be sampled at the event, the invention can
solicit ratings for item Y to assist with the later predictions for X.

[0195] It can be seen that the information for the
participants/teams/event can also be used by the invention to set up and
determine the items to be sampled at any particular event. In other words
by knowing what wines the participants have previously rated, it is
possible to determine a correlated set that is likely to be of interest
to the group participants. In other cases it may be desirable to develop
new correlations between items, so the invention can suggest combinations
of items intended to better flesh out an available data set, and thus
increase overall system prediction accuracy. Stated another way, the
matrix of participant ratings/items can be augmented with creative
inducements to the hosts and participants, which in the long run should
result in increased satisfaction from improved predictions and
recommendations for participants/users.

[0196] At step 510, the host/participants of an event can elect to
register and be included in a competitive ratings game. Registration is
preferably on an event basis, but it is also possible for other forms of
collective scoring, such as on a team basis (where a team is made up of a
group of n or more participants) or on an individual basis. These
different forms of registration also permit different types of ratings to
be presented in different respective lists on the website of FIGS. 4A-4E
for public review and entertainment. It is expected that this feature
will promote participation in embodiments of the invention as well by
appealing to the competitive streak in some participants.

[0197] It is expected that the computerized scorer will simply take the
form of the recommendation engine such as described above in connection
with steps 340 and 457. Since most conventional recommender systems must
generate a prediction for a person before generating a recommendation,
this fact can be exploited for a gaming purpose as set out herein. Thus
this aspect of the present invention allows participants to see and
observe the inner operations of a recommender system from an
entertainment perspective and thus glean insights into their own tastes
as well.

[0198] At step 520, ratings for the items are solicited in the same manner
as described above. As part of this process, the participants can be
informed in advance of what protocol will be used for the computerized
scorer to guess their ratings. For example the event may be set up so
that the participants are only told that the computerized scorer will be
generating predictions randomly for only some of the items, or for only a
single item as shown in box 525. Alternatively the participants may be
told in advance which items the computerized scorer will be making
predictions for, as shown in box 526.

[0199] Both options may be useful in different types of applications. The
usefulness of a random option lies in the fact that it is less likely to
result in a ratings bias which may occur as a result of participants
trying to "game" the system by providing artificial ratings designed to
maximize their score. If participants do not know in advance which item
is being considered for the ratings match competition, they are less
likely to provide adulterated ratings.

[0200] At step 530 the recommendations system (not shown) generates
predictions for the participants in any conventional fashion, including
by corroborative filtering, collaborative filtering, or some combination
of the two. Other techniques known in the art can also be used. The
prediction by the computerized scorer therefore is performed for one more
of the items in the sample set used in the event.

[0201] After this the predictions by the computerized scorer and the
ratings provided by the participants are compared on an item by item
basis at step 540. The scoring noted above for comparing participant
scores can be used here as well, such as by summing the square roots of
the differences of the squares, or if desired, some other form of
mathematical analysis can be done. In the end, a table can be created
(not shown) correlating the performance of each of the participants
against the computerized scorer for each item so evaluated. This table
can be stored in an array or any other convenient form for manipulation,
storage, etc.

[0202] During step 550 an overall event/team score is determined. This can
be as simple again as summing the cumulative differences noted in step
540. This event/team data can be presented to the participants as part of
the other scoring items noted above in connection with FIGS. 4C and 4D.

[0203] Note that to allow for better metrics and benchmarks, the
competitive aspect of the invention may be tied or restricted to specific
game kits (described above) having a known composition of item samples.
For example a standard set of Chardonnays from 10 particular wineries may
be used. This will promote better comparisons and evaluation of data
since the item sets are less variable and thus better characterized
across larger sample sizes.

[0204] Another beneficial side effect of this aspect of the invention is
that it is likely to induce participants to provide more accurate and
consistent scores for the items than prior art schemes, since the
participant will know that such input will increase the odds that the
computerized scorer will generate an accurate prediction for such person,
and thus improve an overall team score. This symbiotic nuance makes the
participant into a more of a cooperator with the system, in the sense
that they will want their tastes to be discernible and understandable to
the recommendation system. Thus it is expected that this positive
inducement will result in more accurate ratings data being provided by
the participants. Again this particular aspect of the invention is likely
to have benefit in other domains.

[0205] At step 560 a competitive ratings database (not shown) is updated
with the new scores from the event/team/participants in question. This
database can mined as well for targeting marketing based on the
likelihood that team members, or event participants, are likely to be
associated with each other and have similar tastes in other products. For
example it may be useful to treat the entire members of a team or an
event as a single entity, and construct ratings matrices for such
collections of individuals. This would allow predictions and
recommendations to be served on higher order groupings--i.e. entities as
opposed to individuals. Thus recommendations can be made on a team by
team basis based on collective ratings. At the end of the event
follow-ups can be made with targeted marketing and recommendations to
such individuals and teams in the manner noted above for FIG. 3.

[0206] The individual/event/team ratings can be published on the
aforementioned website in any convenient tabulated form as shown at step
570. For example, it might be desirable to list the highest performing
individuals in aggregate, and then broken down according to wine type,
and/or by geographic region. The same strategy could be used for events
and collections of participants (teams) who elect to compete.

[0207] If desired, optional prizes could be awarded on a periodic basis at
step 580, such as every week, every month, etc. Again the prizes may take
any number of convenient forms, including coupons/discounts for the items
in question or some other consideration. In some cases it may be useful
to keep an ongoing top list of all participants/teams/events, and at the
same time include a more contemporaneous or recent list to allow for
fresh faces to receive recognition on a regular basis. This avoids the
problem of some sites being dominated by the same persons and rendering
the content somewhat stale.

[0208] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present
invention, including those aspects illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 can be
implemented using any one of many known programming languages suitable
for creating applications that can run on large scale computing systems,
including servers connected to a network (such as the Internet). The
details of the specific implementation of the present invention will vary
depending on the programming language(s) used to embody the above
principles, and are not material to an understanding of the present
invention. Furthermore it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that this is not the entire set of software modules that can be used, or
an exhaustive list of all operations executed by such modules. It is
expected, in fact, that other features will be added by system operators
in accordance with customer preferences and/or system performance
requirements. Furthermore, while not explicitly shown or described
herein, the details of the various software routines, executable code,
etc., required to effectuate the functionality discussed above in such
modules are not material to the present invention, and may be implemented
in any number of ways known to those skilled in the art.

[0209] The above descriptions are intended as merely illustrative
embodiments of the proposed inventions. It is understood that the
protection afforded the present invention also comprehends and extends to
embodiments different from those above, but which fall within the scope
of the present claims.

Patent applications by John Nicholas Gross, Berkeley, CA US

Patent applications by John Nicholas and Kristin Gross Trust U/A/D April 13, 2010